WELLINGTON, Nov 25, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- More than 300 people are being evacuated from an island in the north of Vanuatu as gas and ash from volcanic eruptions were drifting on to three villages, New Zealand media reported on Thursday.

The Vanuatu government has sent the paramilitary mobile forces and the Vanuatu Red Cross Society to monitor the evacuation from the west of the island of Gaua in Torba province, Radio New Zealand International reported.

The volcano has been erupting since September but several recent minor eruptions have increased the volume of gas and ash which has been carried by a strong wind.

Vanuatu's Director of the National Disaster Management Office, Job Esau, said people in the area have been suffering from respiratory problems, diarrhoea and skin irritation.

He added that the water supply has also been affected and people want to leave.

Esau said people are being relocated by boat to the eastern side of Gaua over the next few days.

He added they are monitoring the volcano and there are plans in place to evacuate the entire island if necessary.